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Melwood Celebrates a Half-Century of Helping

Melwood, a non-profit organization that creates jobs and opportunities to improve the lives of people with disabilities, is ready to celebrate this summer.

For their 50th anniversary, the group is turning its Upper Marlboro campus into play space June 15 from noon to 4 p.m.with food vendors, a festival of arts and crafts, music, wine tastings, pony rides and face paintings. Lunch will be provided.

The organization dates back to 1963, when a group of parents launched a mission to create opportunities for their children who had disabilities. They managed to convince the federal government to donate seven acres of land in Prince George’s County and grew into one of the state’s leading non-profit group and a pioneer in the history organizations to promote independent living for individuals with disabilities.

It currently supports over 2,400 people with disabilities through job training and counseling, job placement, individual support, and recreation.

For its youngest clients, recreation comes through Camp Accomplish, a program for youth and teens aged 5-18. At this camp, campers enjoy a variety of different activities including swimming, climbing wall and ropes courses, archery, creative arts, sports, canoeing, horseback riding, campfires, talent shows, and much more. Camp Accomplish offers options for day and overnight camp in addition to a two-week teen program.

Thanks to Melwood’s, in 2012, 635 people achieved their goals in employment, independent living, or meaningful day services. According to Melwood data, 98 percent of those placed in permanent jobs have kept their positions.
In August, a job fair planned on their grounds.